Coordination of NO2− ligand to Cu(i) ion in an O,O-bidentate fashion that evolves NO gas upon protonation: a model reaction relevant to the denitrification process

[(2,6-(Ph(2)P(o-C(6)H(4))CH=N)(2)C(5)H(3)N)(2)Cu(2)](BF(4))(2) (2) has been prepared by treating 2,6-(Ph(2)P(o-C(6)H(4))CH=N)(2)C(5)H(3)N (1) with [Cu(NCMe)(4)]BF(4). Reaction of 2 and [Ph(3)PNPPh(3)]NO(2) produces (2,6-(Ph(2)P(o-C(6)H(4))CH=N)(2)C(5)H(3)N)Cu(NO(2)) (3), with the nitrite ligand in a unique eta(2)-O,O coordination mode. Protonation of 3 releases NO gas, which mimics the reactivity of the Type 2 Cu-NiRs.